Beer crate



BEER CRATE Filed June 23, 1953 flllomey Aug. 7, 193 w. A. STILLEY, JR

Patented Aug. 7, 1934 BEER CRATE- Walter A. Stilley,Jr.-,Conway, s. c.

Application- June 23,

1933, Serial No. 677,302 y 1 Claim; (c1. 3217-48) This invention relates broadly to crates or boxes, and more particularly to boxes for bottled beverages and especially for bottled beer.

More particularly, it is an object of the present 1 invention to provide improved closure means for crates of the character above mentioned whereby after the closure has oncebeen properly positioned with respect to the open top of the crate, the possibility of the closure being displaced, re-

1 gardless of the rough handling to which the crate may be subjected, is practically non-existent.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the tops of the bottles serve as a part of the means for positively retaining the closure in position once the closure or lid is properly positioned across the open top of the crate.

The invention, together with its numerous objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in 20. connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a crate embodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1, the flexed position of the closure being suggested by broken lines.

Figure 3 is a plan View of a corner portion of the crate with the closure removed.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the closure. Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan View of another form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawing by reference numerals it will be seen that 10 indicates generally a box or crate of conventional construction, being of the type usually employed for shipping bottles of beverages, and particularly bottled beer. The closure or lid for the crate 10 is indicated by 'the reference numeral 11, and in the present instance, the lid 11 is of rectangular configuration and of a suitable size to fit within the confines of the side and end walls 12 and 13, respectively, of the box or crate. Further, the cover or lid 11 is formed of pliable material, preferably a wooden multi-ply plate which is bendable in the direction of its longitudinal fiber.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the crate 10 is provided with corner pieces 14. These corner pieces, as shown, are substantially triangular and are preferably formed of thin sheets of metal. The corner pieces are secured by nails or other suitable fastening elements 15 to the upper edges of the side and end walls 12 and 13 of the crate as will be clear from a study of Figure 3.

To facilitate manipulation of the lid or cover 11 either to position the cover over the open top of the crate 10, or to remove the cover from thecrate, the same is provided with a centrally located finger accommodating aperture 16.

From a consideration of the foregoing, it will be apparent that the lid or cover 11 is of such a length that it can not be placed in final position withrespect to the open top of the case or crate 10, or removed except by bending the cover or lid as shown dotted in Figure 2, thus shortening the distance between the ends, permitting removal or insertion of the corners of the lid beneath the portions of the corner plates 14 extending diagonally across the corners of the crate.

As shown in Figure 2, when the lid 11 is in final closing position with respect to the open top of the crate, the corners of the lid are engaged beneath the corner pieces 14 with the lid in extended position resting flatly on the top of the bottles 17 arranged within the crate. Thus through the medium of the corner pieces 14 and the tops of the bottles 17, the lid 11 is secured in position and can only be removed by a manual bending of the lid to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, the manner of inserting or removing the lid 11 is identical with that described with reference to the first form of the invention. However, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6 in lieu of the corner pieces 14 there are secured to the inner sides of the end walls 13 adjacent the side walls 12 of the crate, blocks 18 of Wood or other suitable material and with which the lid or cover 11 at its end edges, and adjacent to the corners of the cover are engaged with the lid resting on the tops of the bottles as shown in Figure 6 when the cover is in final position on the case or crate.

It will be noted that in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, that the cover or lid 11 is confined wholly withinthe crate substantially flush with the upper edges of the walls of the crate while in the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, the crate is of greater depth in order to accommodate the blocks 18, and in this latter form of the invention, the lid 11 fits down into the crate below the plane of the upper edges of the walls 12 and 13 of the crate.

From the description of the invention, it will '10 r be understood that it is in no wise intended to restrict the invention to the precise detailsof construction, combination and arrangement; of j elements as herein illustrated and described, other than may benecessary to meet the requirements art or the scope of the append ed of the prior claim. I

What is claimed is:

1 A box for bottled beverages having rigid bottom, side and end walls, fixed rigid lid retain ill ing members mounted at the corners of the box adjacent the top of the box, a flexible lid for the box having spring flexion whereby it may be bowed upwardly between its ends to dispose said ends in position to engage under said retaining members with the lid arranged entirely within the box, said lid being of a thickness substantially equal to the clearance between the tops of the bottles in the box and the lid retaining members s ona-s to rest flatly on the tops of the bottles and to engage, at its ends said retaining members whereby, when in final position said lid is retained against vertical and rotative movement solelyvby the engagement of the lid with the bottles and the lid retaining members; and said lid at; the center thereof being provided with a finger accommodating opening whereby provision is-madefor a manual bending of the lid in direction of its longitudinal fiber to remove the lid.

WALTER, A. S'I ILLEY, JR

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